Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

Though it is by no means common, I've heard this expression multiple times recently, and I'm wondering why it isn't "eighteen" to the dozen, or "thirteen", or "twenty". Where did "nineteen" come from?

share|improve this question
3  
I quite like the fact that some smart-ass at Google programmed to look out for this one, just so they could have the calculator smugly tell us it's 2.21331492 × 10^15 – FumbleFingers Jul 4 '11 at 16:25
They do have some techies there with a good sense of humour. Must be good bosses too, to let them get away with it! – FumbleFingers Jul 4 '11 at 16:33
I don't think it was this phrase in particular. I just tried googling "twelve to the five" and got it calculated, too. – GEdgar Jul 4 '11 at 17:04
1  
@GEdgar: Nobody says it that way, though. This may be conspiracy-theorish, but I think they included that form just so "nineteen to the dozen" would be included. :) – Daniel δ Jul 4 '11 at 17:10
1  
It even calculates "nineteen to the baker's dozen" for you. :D – z7sg Ѫ Jul 4 '11 at 18:08
show 1 more comment

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

I can't vouch for its veracity, but here's a site claiming the expression has its origins in the Cornish tin mining industry.

Beam engines were introduced to reduce flooding in the mines, and they pumped out 19,000 gallons of water for every 12 bushels of coal needed to operate the engines – a much faster and more efficient way of pumping water than the hand pumps they replaced.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.